Consumer to business data capturing system

Abstract

Methods and apparatus of the present invention collect data associated with a consumer through generation of a consumer feedback communication via a wide area network. A business to which the consumer feedback communication is directed is identified in response to input from a consumer via the wide area network. Feedback data relating to the business is obtained from the consumer via the wide area network. At least a portion of the consumer feedback communication is automatically generated using the feedback data. Data associated with the consumer is then collected from the obtained feedback data.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 695,016, filed Oct. 23, 2000 now abandoned, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes, and which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 172,393, entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING AND MANAGING CONSUMER FEEDBACK VIA A WIDE AREA NETWORK”, filed on Dec. 17, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a letter composition and delivery system. More particularly, the present invention relates to letter composition and delivery as well as collection and interpretation of data obtained via the letter composition and delivery process.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]In today's highly commercialized society, consumers are offered seemingly unlimited choices. While it may seem that this diversity of product...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention enables a consumer feedback communication to be generated by consumers to transmit valuable feedback to businesses. Through this process, market research data related to the consumers may also be generated. Accordingly, the feedback and consumer related data may transmitted to businesses as well as entire industries, enabling the businesses to improve their business practices as well as resolve situations that prompted the generation of the feedback communication.

[0013]In accordance with another aspect of the invention, methods and apparatus of the present invention provide accessibility to one or more consumer feedback communications previously sent by a consumer to one or more businesses and associated business feedback responses received by the consumer from the one or more businesses. Information associated with one or more consumer feedback communications is stored, where each of the feedback communications has been previously composed by a consumer, addressed to at least one business and including feedback data relating to the business. A command and consumer feedback communication selection is received from the consumer. Information associated with one of the consumer feedback communications identified by the consumer feedback communication selection is then modified or displayed corresponding to the selected command.

Problems solved by technology

While it may seem that this diversity of products and services only serves to benefit consumers, consumers often have a difficult time selecting among the vast assortment of options available to them.

However, the information typically provided in such advertisements is sorely inadequate.

Thus, even when a consumer expends an enormous amount of money on an item or service, the consumer's selection is often made based upon very limited information.

Although a consumer's individual experience with regard to a particular product or service is a potential source of valuable information to other consumers, it is difficult if not impossible to disseminate this information to a wide range of consumers or potential consumers.

However, writing a letter is a time-consuming process.

Moreover, it is often difficult if not impossible to identify the appropriate individual within a business or company to whom a letter should be addressed.

Another problem arises when the business is a foreign business and therefore conducts business in a language other than that spoken by the consumer.

As a result, consumers are often discouraged from sending letters to businesses regarding good or bad experiences, suggestions, or questions.

Even when a consumer does decide to send a letter to a company, it is often difficult to discern whether the letter was received by the business and therefore difficult to achieve resolution of the situation that prompted the letter.

However, these surveys are not initiated by consumers and therefore are not likely to obtain information from those who might provide the most valuable feedback to businesses.

Moreover, such surveys are tedious and time-consuming to complete.

However, even with the vast amount of information and services available on the Internet, there fails to be an effective mechanism for facilitating the communication of information between consumers and businesses.

In addition, businesses have seemingly failed to recognize the potential word of mouth influence a consumer has in view of the rising popularity of the Internet and electronic mail.

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